U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem urged the Republican party to unite behind her “bold vision” in a speech that made no mention of her chance to become the state’s first female governor.

Shortly after U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem rolled to the Republican nomination for South Dakota governor, she urged the party to unite behind her “bold vision” in a speech that made no mention of her chance to become the state’s first female governor.

The victory Tuesday night followed a campaign against Attorney General Marty Jackley in which Noem declined to play up her gender, instead focusing on her farming and ranching background and negotiating the GOP’s federal tax cuts with President Donald Trump. And there’s no indication Noem will change course in a campaign where she already is the front-runner.

Noem said she's focused on what she wants to get done, not about the historic step for South Dakota women her victory would represent.

"It seems to me that people supported me last night based on my background, my experience and my vision for the state,” Noem said Wednesday. “Sure, it would be incredibly special to be the first female governor, but I also think that people are supporting me because of the person that I am and what I bring to the table.”